Instilling children to do well in school is something the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) not only preaches, but also practices as well. Teaming up with the Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi Foundation, NYCHA is providing 50 of its third-and fourth-graders with an after-school program and free tutoring through the 12th grade. In exchange for participating, the children have to promise to stay in school, aim for college, and keep their eye on their Dreams. In addition to providing academic help, the program offers these Dreamers drama and fitness programs as well as field trips to cultural organizations. The Dreamers also promise to give back to the community through neighborhood beautification projects and participation in community service workshops.

Eugene Lang, founder of the I Have a Dream Foundation, with children from Ravenswood public housing in Queens, NY

Funding for the program is being provided by the Elmezzi Foundation, a philanthropic organization devoted to motivating and empowering children from low-income communities to achieve their education and career goals through a long-term program of mentoring, tutoring, academic and cultural enrichment and tuition assistance for higher education.  The program, dubbed "I Have a Dream," (IHAD) adopts an entire class of students from elementary schools, or a same-age group of children from a housing project, and work with these children and their families through high school.  In this case, the children live in Ravenswood Public Housing in Queens, New York, and attend P.S. 112. 

"I Have a Dream" sponsors like the Elmezzi Foundation make a 10-to-15-year commitment when they adopt a grade of children from a school or same-age group from a public housing development.  The Elmezzi Foundation will contribute approximately $1.2 million plus funding for college tuition over the next 10 years.  NYCHA, which has already supported six IHAD Projects in Manhattan, Queens, and The Bronx, will contribute $50,000 per year to the program. 

The "I Have a Dream"-Ravenswood Program was launched November 9 at P.S. 112.  Members of the Elmezzi Foundation Board of Directors and other distinguished guests attended the launch.  Keynote speaker Dreamer Saul Arvel, who benefited from the first "I Have a Dream" Ravenswood program, addressed the Dreamers and Eugene Lang, founder of "I Have a Dream," led the Dreamers in their Dreamer Pledge.